June 2, 2009

Ushering in a new era in our household

Back in 2000, my mom took me to Walmart in Waco, Texas and bought me a $100 sewing machine. I remember her exact words were "Let's make sure you are really going to do this sewing thing before we buy you a nice machine." I began sewing off and on over the years, but did not really start my sewing "hard core" until the fall of 2006. A new day was born in the household. My spare bedroom went from barely holding anything in it - to being completely monopolized by my obsession. Fabric began exploding from the walls!! For nine years, my faithful little Brother sewing machine helped me create some fun projects. My machine heard the language my grandparents would have been horrified to know that I used!!! My machine saw me through some hard projects I swore I would never make again. This weekend, my Brother sewing machine finally began it's retirement. While a side of me was sad, I was mostly pumped as I thought about what new machine I would replace it with.

Tonight, we went to a local sewing machine store and a new member of the family was brought home. Allow me to introduce you to my new machine:

Just like in 2000, my mom bought this machine for me. (My mom reminded me now that she bought this machine for me, I now can complete her wish list of projects!!!). I knew I wanted a Janome and there were several models I was interested in. Most of the ones in another store we stopped out were sold out. I had been interested in the machine in the photos when the lady at the store gave a demo. The nice thing about the gem 760 is that it is 3/4 the size of a regular machine and it weighs 12 pounds. The other great thing like an article I read said was that usually a slightly smaller and light weight sewing machine means you sacrifice things and usually A LOT of things. With the gem, you get a normal sewing machine just a bit smaller and a bit lighter. Awesome. We are pretty sure we will move in a couple years and when that happens, I know we will be down sizing (my husband is uber green!!). This machine with it's smaller size only made the most sense!The difference: the arm length is 1" shorter and the width is 1/2" difference. That's it! I know - crazy, huh?

This machine has 60 stitches, several which can be used on quilts. I played with it just a bit tonight. Tomorrow night when I have more time I am going to finish up some projects that I was afraid to continue with my old sewing machine's health declining! I have some picnic placemats to show you and also an apron I received. The apron is PERFECT. I will try to pry myself away from the machine at some point tomorrow night and attempt to show you some pics!

Now...... off to prepare a pillow for my machine to lay on so I can wake up in the middle of the night to check on my new baby!!!!

10 comments:

My machine is a little smaller too, which means she can come to classes, without me needing to hire a truck to carry her. Sometimes her smaller arm gets me mad, but not often, and only when quilting (when I am already mad, because I don't really like the quilting bit).

Congratulations on your new family member! That's great that your mom bought both of yours! My mom bought me both of my sewing machines and my serger! You just have to love mom! Even if they do have ulterior motives for buying them LOL!

Good for you Tracey! Even though I am a Brother dealer now, I still have my Gem Gold from 2000 or so. My grandchildren sew on it each summer at my sewing camp and I also let other children use it too! Take care of it and it will serve you well. Let me know when you want a wammer dammer $9000.00 embroidery machine! LOL

How exciting! A pillow for your new machine, eh? Well, you need to stitch up a special pillowcase for that pillow - and use sewing machine themed fabric, of course! My sewing machine is getting on in years too, but still very serviceable. Don't think I can quite justify a new one yet, since there's really nothing wrong with it. But those new bells-and-whistles are calling to me :-) I know you'll enjoy your new machine! Congratulations, and can't wait to see the wonderful stuff you'll be whipping up!